AD/AC/6 - Fuel Vent and Vapour Return Lines - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, established by the Australian Government, were enacted to regulate aviation safety and ensure compliance with international standards. This legislative instrument, specifically addressing Part 39 - 105 and Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, focuses on the maintenance and modification of certain aircraft models. One such directive pertains to the Twin Commander (Gulfstream/Rockwell/Aerocommander 500, 600, and 700) series aeroplanes, requiring modifications to the fuel vent and vapour return lines to mitigate safety risks. The applicable models and serial numbers are clearly outlined to ensure precise compliance, with the directive mandating immediate action upon issuance. This regulation aims to maintain the airworthiness of specified aircraft by enforcing necessary safety modifications, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 – 105, governs the issuance of airworthiness directives for aircraft within Australian jurisdiction, ensuring that all aircraft meet the required safety standards. This particular legislative instrument, AD/AC/6, pertains to the modification of fuel vent and vapour return lines for Twin Commander (Gulfstream/Rockwell/Aerocommander 500, 600, and 700) series aeroplanes, specifically models 560A and 680, serial numbers 231 to 580, excluding certain serial numbers as listed. The directive mandates compliance with either Aero Commander Service Bulletin No. 45 or FAA AD 58-1-1, requiring immediate action. The regulation applies to aircraft registered in Australia and operated under Australian law, ensuring that the specified modifications are implemented to maintain airworthiness. The directive's scope is limited to the identified Twin Commander models and serial numbers, thereby not extending to other aircraft types or series.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, outlines the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives. Within this, AD/AC/6 pertains to the modification of fuel vent and vapour return lines for the Twin Commander (Gulfstream/Rockwell/Aerocommander 500, 600, and 700) series aeroplanes. The directive applies to specific models and serial numbers, namely the 560A and 680 series, excluding certain serial numbers (subsection 1). Compliance with this directive is mandatory and must be undertaken immediately (subsection 2). The compliance documentation can be either Aero Commander Service Bulletin No. 45 or FAA AD 58-1-1 (subsection 3). The obligations imposed by this airworthiness directive are clear: aircraft operators must ensure that the specified modifications are carried out on the applicable Twin Commander aircraft. This involves inspecting the fuel vent and vapour return lines and making the necessary modifications to comply with the directive. Failure to adhere to the directive can result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which poses a significant safety risk and legal liability (subsection 4). The directive is designed to address specific safety concerns and must be followed to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. The regulations also specify the consequences for non-compliance with AD/AC/6. While the specific civil or criminal penalties are not detailed in the excerpt, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally can lead to enforcement actions by CASA. These actions may include fines, suspension or revocation of the aircraft's airworthiness certificate, or other regulatory measures. The severity of the penalties can depend on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, as well as any resulting safety incidents (subsection 5). The overarching goal is to ensure that all affected aircraft are brought into compliance to prevent potential safety hazards. In summary, AD/AC/6 mandates the immediate modification of fuel vent and vapour return lines for specified Twin Commander models to ensure safety. Operators are required to comply with the directive using the provided documentation. Non-compliance can lead to serious regulatory actions, highlighting the importance of adhering to airworthiness directives to maintain safety standards in aviation.